Fear of driving

Fear of driving restricts the lives of many people. People who fear driving begin to curtail their normal activities and avoid using their cars. Fear of using the automobile can cause individuals to cancel family events, avoid social obligations, miss job interviews, and postpone vacations.

Fear of driving is also referred to as a driving phobia. Phobias were often rational fears at one time however over time they become irrational fears. For example, being afraid to drive after a bad auto accident starts out as a rational fear. Over time, the rational fear of using the automobile becomes irrational and takes over the person’s life.

Occasionally a phobia can appear to come at someone out of nowhere. Severe phobias can progress to a more serious panic disorder.

Panic disorders left untreated can become debilitating. Individuals who develop panic disorder are controlled by their fear of the next attack. Panic disorder symptoms are frightening and dramatic and include the following:

• Rapid heartbeat.

• Chest pain and tightness.

• Feeling faint or lightheaded.

• Nausea, gastrointestinal distress.

• Shortness of breath.

• Numbness or tingling sensations in the hands and face.

• Feeling unreal or separate from the environment.

• Irrational fear.

• Fear of the next attack.

Fear of driving is typically a displaced version of another fear. Fear of driving might be a easier fear for the sufferer to handle than the real underlying fear. Fear of driving replaces the original fear.

Fear of driving might be debilitating but it's fairly easy to cure. A terrific self-help program for fear of driving is available online. The Driving Fear Program stops fear of driving in its tracks in four easy steps. The Driving Fear Program can be downloaded for 67 dollars. A full year of free online support is included in the program.

Fear of driving responds surprisingly well to self-help methods. Complicated or stubborn cases could require a short course of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT helps panic attack victims understand their thoughts and perceptions differently so that panic isn't triggered. Prescription medicine might be prescribed while the client is in therapy. Medications help CBT progress more smoothly by relieving symptoms temporarily.

Medicine are usually discontinued once therapy is complete and symptoms are alleviated. SSRI antidepressant medications are the most common drugs prescribed for phobias.

SSRI stands for Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. SSRI drugs enhance the circulation of serotonin in the bloodstream. SSRIs prevent serotonin from leaving the bloodstream too soon. Serotonin is produced by the human body and creates feelings of calm and wellbeing.

Folks with panic and anxiety disorders usually recover completely. Anxiety and panic will usually be completely cured by a short course of therapy, unlike more complicated chronic disorders like OCD or depression which need ongoing care.